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Take Your Medicine Correctly

Check your prescription before you leave the pharmacy. Make sure that you have the correct medicine, dosage, and quantity in the bottle. If you have any questions about the medication and how to take it, ask the pharmacist. Review the medication handout provided with your prescription and be aware of any side effects of the drug. Take your prescription exactly as directed. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of any other medications, including over the counter and herbal preparations, as they may interact with your prescription. Remember to check expiration dates of any medications you take, including over the counter medicines. Out of date medications may be ineffective or even toxic.

Antibiotics are strong medicines that can cure some infections and save lives. However, they can cause more harm than good when they are not used correctly. Antibiotics do not cure or help with viral infections, such as the common cold or flu. DO NOT stop taking an antibiotic when you feel better. Take the antibiotic exactly as prescribed, for the full amount of time. You should not have any “leftover” antibiotics. Weaker bacteria may have responded to the medication, but the stronger bacteria may be left behind causing a recurrence of symptoms and a resistance to the medication. Also, each antibiotic is specific for certain types of infections. For these same reasons, you should not take any “leftover” medication, someone else’s medication, or medication not prescribed specifically for you, for your current infection. Incorrect use of antibiotics may cause allergies, anaphylactic shock and resistant organisms. The misused medications may mask symptoms so that the physician may be unable to diagnose and treat the patient appropriately.

Take your medication as directed with water. Some medications should be taken before meals and others after meals. The formulation of some medications is set to break up in certain areas of the digestive tract. Taking medication with a hot beverage, for example, may dissolve the coating before it gets to its target. Taking medication with carbonated beverages may cause irritation of the esophagus as it is swallowed. Some medications should not be taken with grapefruit juice. If you miss taking a dose of your medication, simply continue with your next dose. Do not “double up” unless specifically directed to do so.

Some medications should be tapered off gradually because they may cause physical and/or emotional problems if discontinued abruptly.

Never lend your prescription medicine to anyone. The medication was prescribed specifically for you and may cause serious side effects for someone else. Likewise, do not take anyone else’s medication yourself.

The use of stimulants as a study aid is strongly discouraged by Student Health Services as it can produce tragic results.

Medication can be very beneficial when taken as directed. It can also be very harmful when taken incorrectly